Transitioning Lab Courses to Online Platforms by Higher Education Institutions during COVID-19: Strategies,Learning Outcomes,Perceptions,and Challenges

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced universities to shift their in-person lab courses to remote delivery, which presented several challenges for instructors and students. This article analyzed 33 peer-reviewed research articles to identify the various approaches taken by universities to migrate lab courses to remote platforms, as well as the difficulties encountered during the transition. The review revealed that technology and internet issues, workload constraints, academic integrity, and the overall educational experience were among the challenges faced. The authenticity and completeness of online labs were inferior to in-person labs, resulting in mixed opinions on the effectiveness of online labs. Students found labs that incorporated video recordings and simulations on a synchronous platform to be the most engaging. However, home labs provided limited hands-on experience, depending on the circumstances. Further research is required to investigate the cognitive, physical, and temporal demands posed by these technologies to develop a more compelling online lab experience.

Keywords

COVID-19 higher education online labs online learning simulationbased learning

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